Annotation Type MappedSuperclass

Designates a class whose mapping information is applied
to the entities that inherit from it. A mapped superclass
has no separate table defined for it.

A class designated with the MappedSuperclass
annotation can be mapped in the same way as an entity except that the
mappings will apply only to its subclasses since no table
exists for the mapped superclass itself. When applied to the
subclasses the inherited mappings will apply in the context
of the subclass tables. Mapping information may be overridden
in such subclasses by using the AttributeOverride and
AssociationOverride annotations or corresponding XML elements.